John,

>Doug
>
>That's a bit harsh. When you say "Arab" you are not describing a homogeneous culture or group that represses women, blows themselves up or goes around raping.

Ok, I'll bite. <g>

Name for me the Islamic cultures that are as equal or more advanced than the US, given that we here are in the final fits of self-inflicted hedonistic overdose. Of course, I suppose the definition of the word 'advanced' will be wrestled over (and rightly so I suppose) but the fact of the matter is that unless you're living in the 15th century most Islamic-influenced cultures want to see you end. Perhaps I'm one of the few willing to state the obvious? Given the BILLIONS of dollars these folks have had to spend over the last 30+ years what is the current stage of their general cultures? Why haven't they come to the rescure of the Palestiians? Psst.. because they do not want to. As you so correctly sugest below, these folks, were it not for their utter hatred of the Jews would simply kill each other.

I'm sorry but that does not fall into my definition of 'advanced' or 'cultured'.

Go read a Bible in Saudi Arabia for example, if you want to find out how tolerant these folks are.


>
>E.g. Do you know what a Kurd is? http://www.kurd.com . While there are differences even within the Kurdish community (review Nusayrism, treatment of women not that great) overall your description is most unfair and without merit. Actually these "Arabs" have more reason to hate Saddam than you do, partly because our culture was a bit slow to support them when Saddam's brave troops gassed and shot Kurdish children after the Kurds revolted during the Gulf war.

My description is, sadly, more accurate than not. If you look with clear eyes John it's the secular 'Islamic' state that is going to be more tolerant. That is, from the Islamic POV it's the country/culture that is closer to ours that will typically have less barbarism.

Or do you call cutting someone's head off cultured?

I surely do not and I'd wager that in New Zealand this is not common as well.